Can opener



Oct. 30, 1951 M. J. LA FORTE CAN OPENER 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 26, 1949 "Il" lllllllllklll llllll lI :El .mmm

Y] www12 ,7M Bm JQPZQZM,

Oct. 3?? 1951 'M'.J. L A FORTE CAN OPENER 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 26, 1949 Oct. 30, 1951 =M.1J. LA FORTE 2,573,031

' CAN OPENER Filed Aug. 26, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 30, 1951 CAN OPENER Michael J. La Forte, Park Ridge, Ill., assigner to Vaughan Mfg. Co., a corporationo'f Illinois Application August 26, 1949, serial N6. 112,593

(o1. en -15.5)

14 Claims.

The present invention relates to can openers and more particularly toa can opener embodying improved guide, cutter and can feeding means to facilitate starting of the opener and generally to improve its operation so as to make the opener easier to use.

Can openers of the hand operated portable type to which this application relates conventionally are provided with a body member forming a supporting structure upon which a cutter and can opener actuating` or feeding mechanismare secured. Upon initial operation of the feeding mechanism the can and cutter are moved relatively in a direction to effect piercing of the end of the can, and upon continued rotation of the feeding mechanism the can and opener move relatively in a direction to cause the top end of the can to be severed by the cutter,

In known openers of this type difliculties often arise in properly engaging the opener with the can which is to be opened because of the failure of the operator, through carelessness or lack of understanding, to move the feeding mechanism to neutral or inoperative position before trying to placey the opener on the can. Moreover during the initial piercing of the can top the opener tends to rock bodily in the direction the feeding mechanism is being rotated. This causes binding between the opener and can making piercing more difficult. In addition, diiiiculty is often encountered because of'binding of the cutting disc when the opener is used onr cans having sharpcurves or uneven beads, or because the cutter has not been properly mounted to secure the most effective shearing action. Poor cutting action may also arisel from the fact that the opener is not properly guided with respect to the can during a severing operation.

These disadvantages of openers presently available have largely been eliminated in the opener of the present invention. Accordingly an object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved can' opener embodying means yieldably to urge the can engaging elements of the opener relatively to inoperative position so that preliminary manipulation of the opener is unnecessary when it is to be used.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved can opener which includes can engaging actuating or feedingv mechanism and means to prevent movement of this mechanism except in a feeding direction when it is at inoperative position so that starting of the opener is simplied.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved can opener having can engaging means to limitv the rocking effect of the opener actuating means during initial piercing of the end of a can so that binding between the can and opener is avoided thus making the opener easier to start.

Astill further object of the invention is thel provision of a can opener having can engagingelements to guide relative movement of the can and opener during piercing and severing of the can top so constructed that the opener may be used with equal facility n cans of various sizes and shapes including rectangular cans and round cans of small diameter.

Yet another object of the invention is the pro'- vision of a can opener having a cutter of the disc type rotatable upon an axis inclined in per'- pendicular planes so that the portion of the cutterA at which severing of a can top occurs is in,- clined` toward the top bead of the can to insure severing of the can top closely adjacent this bead and folding down of the severed edge against the inner side wall of the can,

Another object of the invention is to provide a can opener having a rotatable disc cutter which is movable axially to compensate for variationsY in the thickness of the beads on different cans and irregularities in the side walls thereof so that binding between the can and opener is eliminated when the opener is in use,

A further object of the invention is the pro'- vision of a can opener as defined in the preceding object in which novel yieldable means is provided to bias the cutter toward one axial position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a can opener having new and improved can engaging guide members for guiding relative movement between the can and opener.

A more general object of the invention is to provide a new and improved can opener of genir er'ally simplified construction which may be made almost entirely from sheet metal stampings and which may be readily assembled so that the cost of manufacture is reduced without impairing the durability or functioning of the opener.

These and other objects, advantages and capabilities of the invention will appear from the following description wherein reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational or outer side view of the improved can opener of the present inven tion Withthe operating handle removed and the actuating mechanism at inoperative position;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational or inner side view of ther can opener;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the forward end of the can opener of the present invention in position on a can with the actuating mechanism at inoperative position;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the improved can opener; f

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view of the can opener similar to Fig. 1 but showing the feeding mechanism at the position it assumes during initial severing of a can top;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view through the feeding or actuating mechanism taken on' the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view through a portion of the can opener taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a rear Aelevational or inner side view of a modified can opener with the can. feeding mechanism at inoperative position;

Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of the can opener disclosed in Fig. 9, with the feeding mechanism at the position it assumes during initial severing of a can top;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary end view of the forward end of the opener, partly in section, showing the opener in severing position on the upper end of the can;

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line |2-l2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary forward end view of another modied form of can opener; and

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary top plan View of the opener shown in Fig. 13.

The present application is a continuation in part of my copending application for patent, Serial No. 739,101, filed April 3, 1947, and entitled Can Opener.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 8, wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, it will be seen that the opener comprises a body member 20 upon which a cutter 22, preferably of the disc type, and a can-engaging feeding or actuating means indicated as a whole by the number 24, are mounted.

The body member 26 preferably comprises a generally rectangular sheet metal stamping as seen in Fig. 1. Along its bottom edge this stamping is provided with an integral guide lug 26 (Fig. 3) bent into a plane substantially normal to the plane of the stamping. Forward and rear guide members 28 and 30 (Fig. 4) are formed integrally with the top edge of the stamping 20 and these guide members extend in the same direction from the stamping as guide lug 26 and in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of guide lug 26.

Also punched or stamped out of the body member 20 intermediate its top and bottom edges adjacent the leading or forward end of the body member and extending in the same direction as the top and bottom guide members is a pressure relief lug 32 (Figs. 2 and '7) which forms one of the features of the present invention. 'I'he various lugs or guide members described above guide movement of the opener during piercing and severing of a can top in a manner which will be described when operation of the opener is described.

The cutter 22 is rotatable and axially movable upon a shaft or stud 34 (Fig. 3) carried by a cutter mounting lug 36 projecting from the top edge of body member 20 `between top guide members 28..and 30. Preferably the cutter shaft 34- has an enlarged disc-like portion 38 intermediate its ends and a part projecting through an aperture in the mounting lug 36 and peened or riveted against the outer side of the mounting lug as indicated at 46 (Fig. 1) xedly to secure the shaft to the mounting lug with the disc-like part 38 in firm engagement with the inner side of the mounting lug so that the shaft is rigidly held in a plane normal to the mounting lug.

In accordance with one of the features of the invention the mounting lug 36 is bent along a diagonal line indicated at 42 in Fig. l so that this lug is inclined both forwardly and downwardly relative to the plane of body member 20. In other words it lies in a plane that inclines inwardly and crosswise relative to the plane of the body member 20 so that the cutter shaft 34 is inclined in the same direction and supports the cutter in a tilted position. The advantages of this mounting of the cutter will be described when operation of the opener is described.

The disc cutter 22 has a flat outer face 44 (Fig. 3) and a ybeveled inner side face 46 terminating in a hub-like part 48. A cutting edge 58 is formed by beveling the flat outer face 44 of the cutter as indicated at 52 In accordance with another feature of the invention, cutter 22 normally is urged by the free end of a generally U-shaped leaf spring 54 (Fig. 3) in a direction to holdthe hub-like part 48 in firm engagement with the flat side of the enlarged disc-like part 38 on the cutter shaft 34. The free end of the leaf spring 54 engages the flat outer side 44 of the cutter 22, and the other end or base of the spring 54 is secured to the upper end of cutter mounting lug 36.

For convenience in manufacture and assembly the base of leaf spring 54 is provided with laterally extending fingers or clips 56 (Figs. 2 and 8) formed integrally with the body of the spring. These clips are curled or bent inwardly relative to the body of the spring to bring their ends into close proximity to the base of the spring. In assembling the opener the base of the spring is telescoped upon the mounting lug 36 with its at side engaging the outer side of lug 36 and the ends of clips 56 engaging and pressing firmly against the inner side of lug 36. Preferably the lug 36 is provided with shoulders 58 to limit telescopic movement of the spring relative to the lug and a stamped recess 60 on its outer side for receiving a dimple 62 on the base of the spring which cooperates with the spring clips 56 and shoulders 58 to position the spring on the mounting lug 36.

The can opener driving or feeding assembly 24 includes a traction wheel 64 (Fig. 6) having a serrated periphery and an integral hub 66 of reduced diameter. Extending axially from the hub 66 and formed integrally therewith is a disc-shaped spacer 68 which is journaled in a quadrant-shaped cam slot 'l0 in the body member 26 (Fig. 1). A flattened stem 12 projects axially from the disc-like spacer 68 (Fig. 6) outwardly of the body member 20. The flattened stem l2 receives an operating cam i4 (Figs. 1 and 6) and an operating key or handle 16, these two parts having apertures corresponding in shape to the cross-sectional shape of the stern 12 so that they are nonrotatable relative thereto. The outer end of the stem 12 is peened or riveted against the outer side of the handle 16, as indicated at 18 (Fig. 6) so that the operating cam is snugly engaged against the disc-like spacer 68. In addition to providing a pivot and rocking axis for the feeding mechanism24 the disc-like spacer tfaisofspacesithetraction wheel s'dandeperatig @am r4 so that this entire assembly may te readily rotated' in cam slot '10*01'v rocked" from" end to end thereof. The diameter ofthe disc-like spacer 68y should:A be only slig'htlyzless` than* the Width of the-cam slot l so that freedom of move@ ment' of the feeding mechanism 24" is notimpeded but excessive play betweensthese parts is avoided.

Avs best seen in Fig. 4 the operating key or handle 16; which may be' formedv as' an integral' sheet metal stam-ping, has a shank or hub" 80a1i'd oppositely extending wings 8'2'A bent o'utwardly 'from the hub so that they may readily begrasped' between the thumb and fingers` when it' is desired to use the can opener. An opening 8'4 may be provided in eachwing 82 so that the openerl may be' hung on a hook or the like when it isk not 1n use.

The-operating cam 14h'as a curved'edgepo'rtion" 86' (Fig. 1) of relatively large radius'which merges at'popposite ends' into curved edge-portions 8'8" and 9DL of considerably smaller' radius. These two" curvedV portions 88 and 90 merge'into an'edge portion which forms av recess or dwell92 between the two' curved portions'SS and 90'.

When the drive or feeding mechanism 24 is rotated in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig; 1 by means of the'operatin'g handle' 16, the curved edges 88 and 86 on operating cam 14 cooperate with a Xed abutment 94 (Figs. 1 and 5) embossed in the outer side of the body member to cause the entire feeding mechanism to rock upwardly inv the cam slot 'I0 from the position shown in? Fig. 1 or'3 to the position shown in Fig. 5. HOW'- ever, when the feeding. mechanism is inr its inoperative position in the lower end of cam slot 10, the curved portion 9U of the operating cam 14 cooperating with the abutment 94 locks the feeding mechanism against rotation in a counterclockwise or non-operating direction so that' the feeding mechanism at this position can only' be turned in the right direction to start operation of the opener,y thus avoiding confusion `as tothe' proper direction of rotation.

In Figs. 1 to 3 the opener feeding or actuating mechanism 24 is shown in inoperative position. In accordance with a further feature of the invention the feeding mechanism is urged toward this position by a spiral return spring 95` (Fig. 3).

Onev end of this return spring is xedly securedv upon a squared end on a rivet 98 fixed in the body member 2'0'b'elow and to one side ofthe lower end of cam slot '10. The other end of theV spring 9'6 is bent into a substantially semicircular hook which engages over the upper' side ofthe hub 66` on the traction wheel 64. The return spring 96 is so mounted that it is under constantM tension and exerts a constant thrust'on the feeding mechanism 24 sufcient to holdthesam'ein inoperative position at the lower end of cam slot TU when the opener is not in use or to return the same to this endl of the slot when the feeding mechanism is backed out of operative engagement with the bead on a can at the conclusion of asevering operation.

Inasmuch as the feeding mechanism will be held in inoperative position by spring. 96- when the opener is not in use, no preliminary manipuf lation of the opener is necessary when it isA to be used. When the parts are in inoperative position the cutter 22 and traction wheel 64 are spaced sufficiently so that the opener may' readily be placed on the top edge of a can, as. shown in- Fig. 3', with the cutter on the inner side cf-its top bead indicated at [Wand resting" on the top of the" can s" that the openerA is* supportedfon the can bythe cutter. At this* initial" IpdsitiehI the* top guides 28 and 30 areV spaced abovethe top bead I 0'0 v'vhilethev bottom guide 26 rests` against theside'wall' of the can. This locates the tractionxwheel 64 somewhat' below the bott" tom edge of the'top'bead |00* and the'pressure* relief lug 32 directly under the bottom edge; of this'bead (Figs). Y Y

previously" explained the; feedingmechanism 24is rotatedl in' a'clockwise direction (Fig. 1")`v tof operate the opener; During initial rotation of the* feeding mechanism 24 it is' rocked upwardly in' carnA slot 10," as" a result of the cooperative action of operating' camy 24' andv abutment* 91?' thus bringing the toothed periphery of the trac'-- tiony wheel 64Y into engagement with the lower' edge of the'l top` bead IU on the can.` Further' rotation of the" feeding mechanism in" the Same openers of the general type' disclosed hereinI and!" untilV initial piercing actually occurs, thereV is' a decided tendency for the opener to'rock bodi'lyn* the' direction the feeding mechanism is being' rotated, i. el, clockwise as seen in Fig. 1. causes' binding between ythe can and' opener and greatly increases the diiculty of piercing. This" tendency to rock results from the'fact that contact between the bead on thecan and the trac'- tio'n wheel 64 is rst madewhen the driving mechanism 24 is only part'way up the curved part of; the camslot 10'. At this time the'disc' cutter. 22" engages the can top at a point forward of the point at which the traction wheel is engaged with the bead on the can. Until. thespac'er disc S8" which is journaled in cam' slot 1U engages the upper end of cam slot 10 the`V body member" 20 will tend tov rock uponthe axis of the feeding mechanism 24'v rather than move downwardly in a directionto cause' the cutter 22 to piercejthe can top due to the fact that the resistance of the top to initial piercing is considerable and infact greater than the resistance of the topl to severing once initial piercing has been effected.

In conventional openers there is nothing to pre`I vent this' rocking movement. However; in

the' opener ofthe `present invention any such'` tendency is avoided due to the fact that the prese sure relief lug 32 engages the underside of the top beadr I 0U in advance of the point at which l lugv3'2 normally will catch under'the top bead |01);

However it may be preferable to press the side" of the body member 2U upon which this lug isle-V cated toward the side' wall of the can during initial' rotation of the opener to insure that thel lug' engages under' the' top bead or to urge the for# w'a'rd side ofthe body member 20 toward the side" Wall of the can by twisting on the handle inan inward direction relative tothe axis of the' can at the same time that the handle is turned to" operate the feeding'mechanism. Movement of the can opener in'a piercing direction relative' to the can eventually brings the" top guide mem-1j' b'e! 30 into engagement with the top edge' of direction'causes thebody member 2l)l and cutter This requires approximately"v This' driving mechanism into engagement with theY upper end of cam slot thereby limiting further movement of the parts in a piercing direction. Upon continued rotation of the feeding mechanism 24 relative movement is elfected between the can and opener in a direction to cause the top of the can to be severed by the disc cutter 22.

Due to the angle at which the cutter mounting lug 36 is bent and to the inclination of the beveled face 46 of the cutter 22, the forward side of the cutter at which severing of a can top occurs will be inclined or pointed toward the bead on the can so that the top is severed closely adjacent this bead. Furthermore, the beveled side 46 of the cutter is disposed in a substantially perpendicular plane during cutting and presses firmly against the inner side wall of the can so that the severed edge of the top is folded down by this side of the cutter, thus eliminating sharp or jagged edges on the inside of the can. Accidental injury to a user of the opener due to the presence of these edges therefore is avoided.

The opener is guided relative to a can during severing of the can top by the two top guide members 28 and 30 in conjunction with the bottom guide 26 which holds the body member 20 at a slight angle to the side wall of the can so that the serrated periphery of the traction wheel 64 is positioned properly relative to the lower edge of the top bead |00 as shown in Fig. 3. After piercing of the top of a can has been completed the tendency of the body member 20 to rock in the direction of rotation of the feeding mechanism 24 as previously explained, i. e., in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. l, is prevented by a rear guide member 30. The front guide member 28 prevents rocking movement of the opener when the feeding mechanism 24 is turned in the opposite direction to back the same from operative position. The bottom guide also cooperates with the cutter properly to position the pressure relief lug 32 relative to the lower side of the top bead to facilitate piercing of a can top.

It will be noted in Fig. 4 that the rear top guide member 30 is of greater length than the forward top guide member 28. By reason of this construction the opener may be used on cans of relatively small diameter or on rectangular cans having relatively sharp corners which require that the opener be turned bodily at a rather sharp angle. This rear guide member 30 should be long enough to remain engaged upon the top edge of the bead on a can to guide movement of the opener even though it is turned sharply so that the opener is adaptable for use on cans of various shapes and sizes.

The return spring 96 makes the opener much more convenient to use since it assures that the feeding mechanism 24 is always in inoperative position when the opener is not in use, thus eliminating the need for any preliminary manipulation of -the feeding mechanism. It should also be noted that this feeding mechanism is locked against rotation in a non-feeding direction when it is in inoperative position by the cooperative engagement between the fixed abutment 94, dwell 92 and curved portion 90 of the operating cam 14 so that confusion in starting the opener is eliminated.

The basic structure of the modification disclosed in Figs. 9 to 12 is generally similar to that of the preferred embodiment. Referring to Figs. 9 to 11, it will be noted that this opener comprises a body member |02 in the form of a generally rectangular sheet metal stamping upon which is mounted a cutter |04 of the disc type and a canengaging opener actuating or feeding mechanism indicated as a whole by number |06. Y

The body member |02 has a guide lug |08 on its bottom edge and forward and rear guide members ||0 and ||2 respectively on its top edge. A generally quadrant-shaped cam slot I4 is formed in this body member. The parts of this body member above mentioned are generally similar to the corresponding parts of the opener previously described and operate in the same manner when the opener is in use.l

A cutter mounting lug I6 is formed on the top edge of the body member |02 between the top guides ||0 and ||2. This lug is bent at a compound angle to the body member |02 along the diagonal line indicated at ||8 in Fig. 10 so that the lug is inclined both downwardly and lengthwise relative to the plane of the body member in the same manner is the cutter mounting lug 36 on the modification previously described. Cutter |04 is rotatable and axially movable upon a shouldered pin |20 which has a reduced part extending through an aperture in the mounting lug ||6. The outer end of this reduced part is peened or riveted against the outer or front side of the mounting lug 6 as indicated at |22, rigidly to secure the pin to the lug in a plane normal thereto.

The disc cutter |04 is generally similar to that previously described and has a cutting edge |24 and beveled side |26 (Fig. 11) for turning down the severed edge of a can along with a reduced hub-like part |28. The cutter |04 is held on thev pin |20 by the free end of a, generally U-shaped leaf spring |30 which holds the hub-like part |28 of the cutter in firm engagement with the inner side of the mounting lug H6. The base of leaf spring |30 is fixed to the upper end of the mounting lug ||6 by means of two screws |32.

The feeding mechanism |06 includes a traction wheel |34 preferably formed with an integral axially extending disc-shaped part |36 on the.

inner side thereof and a. fiattened stem |38 extending axially from the disc-shaped part |36. This latter part is journaled in the cam slot |4. Secured upon the flattened stem |38 against the outer side of the disc-shaped part |36 is an operating cam |40 and an operating key or handle |42. Since the stem is flattened and passes through rectangular apertures in the operating.

cam |40 and handle |42 these parts are non rotatably xed relative to the traction wheel and disc-shaped part |36. They are held in position by riveting the outer end of stem |38 against the handle as indicated at |44 in Fig. 12.

In addition to providing a pivot and rocking axis for the feeding mechanism the disc-shaped part |36 also acts as a spacer to prevent binding, between body member |02 and the traction wheel |34 and operating cam |40. This disc-shaped part should have a diameter somewhat less than the width of cam slot ||4 so that the feeding mechanism may be rotated or rocked readily relative to body member |02 without undue play between these parts.

The operating cam |40 and handle |42 may be of the same construction as the correspondingl parts of the opener previously described and operate in the same manner. Thus the periphery of the operating cam has a curved part |46 (Fig. 10) merging with opposite parts |48 and |50 which are connected by a recessed dwell |52. The periphery of this cam cooperates with an abut- Aintent 154 A'embossed 1in the louter side of ythe body l'The entire `'feeding:mechanism 106 is biased to f vinoperative position 'by fa leaf spring i256 (Fig. `Ilv1U) instead o'f faspiral spring asin the rst modi- Viic'ation. This flea'f spring is unen-rotatably iixed at fone end to a headed-pin 158 lixedlysecured in the body member V02 and 'its ire'e end bears upon the periphery vol? the operating cam Ml). Spring |56 -istensio-ned toeXe'r-t a constant thrust on the feeding mechanism -l-B urging the latter "to 'its inoperative position at the bottom of cam slot H4 as shown in Fig. 9 Iso that the opener "is always ready for use without preliminary fad-iosttment.

This opener operates inf-the same manner as fthe opener `previously described except 'for the `fact that it does not Ahave Ianything 4corresponding to the pressure relief lug -32 'of that opener to prevent bodily rocking movement -of thefopener duringinitial piercing of the can. However, such rocking movement ultimately brings the rear top guide member I'I2 into-engagement with the top bead 'on the can to be opened, -thus limiting the Jdistance the opener 'can rock.

In Figs. 13 and -14 a fragment Iof -an opener is shown which has a modied top guide means. 'In other respects this opener maybe of the same construction-as veither oneof the openers previously described. This opener lincludes a stamped she-et metal 'body ymember '200 fragmentarily shown 'in Figs. vr13 and 14 having a cutter mount- Iing 'lug 202 formed upon van intermediate part of the upper edge thereof. lA-disccutter 204 is secured upon a shaft fixed in the mounting lug 202 in the same manner as in the previously described modification and body member 2'00'carries a driving mechanism :a portion of which is shown at 206. This driving mechanism may be of either of the types previously described or of any other suitable type, and may be secured to the body member 200 and operate in the manner previously described in connection with the first two embodiments of the invention.

Formed integrally with the upper edge of the vbody member 280 on opposite sides vof the cutter mounting lug '202 are a Vforward and a rear top guide member 208 and 2|0, respectively. The

'forward guide member 208 may be 0f duplicate construction to the forward guide member 28 on the lopener first described, 'but 'the rear guide member 2|0 differs Afrom the rear `guide member '30 on that opener.

Referring to Fig. 14, it will be seen that this lguide member 2| 0 is of generally U-shape and has a pair of 'stems 2I2 and 2I4. The inner stem 2|2 is integral with the 'body member 200, while the outer stem 214 is integral with the inner stein 'at a point remote from the body member 200, but the other end of this stem 'is'free of attachment t'o the body mem-ber and is spaced a short distance from the inner Side 'of this body member. The free end of the guide member 2M is bent Ydownwardly slightly below the plane of stem 2l2 as indicated in Fig. 13.

When the can opener is in use this free end o'f the stem 2I4 on the rear guide member `2I0 rides on the top edge vof the top bead on the can being 'opened as shown in Fig. 13. Because of construction the stem 2I4 is slightly resilient. Operation of the opener therefore is facilitated because 'this resilient stem accommodates for irregularities in the height ofthe end bead upon which Ethe :opener is engaged. 'This construction also adapts the opener for use on cans ,having *end lb'eads of diferentheights. Itis to be 4noted that a guide of this type may be used on leither of the lcan vopeners previously :described if that 'is fd'esired.

While 'the openersha-ve been described asbeing provided with a disc cutter, it should lbe obvious that fthe improved `feeding .mechanism incorporated in lthese openers may be used onopeners lprovided with bayonet cutters. It should also i-be apparent that numerous other variations and modicationsimay be made in the opener without ldeparting from the underlying principles of the invention. It is 'to be understood therefore that the invention isnotfto be limited to the precise structure shown and described except in so rar as it rmaybe limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a can opener, fa pair of relatively `movablemembers, a cutter on one of said members, can engaging opener driving means on the `other of said members, means including .'a o'am slot onfone of said members "and 'structure on the yother extending into said slot supporting said members for relative movement, `said cutter -and driving means having la rst relative position wherein the opener vlis adapted to be placed 'upon a can 'to open it and being movable -to another 'relative position to 'pierce the can andto drive the opener, A.means lfor effecting lrelative movement between said members to move said cutter and drivingmeans'to said other position, and a spring member having one end immovably secured `t'o one of said members 4'and its 'free end engaging the other of said members v'anddesign'edto -lm'ove said cutter 'and driving means "to said .'first `mentioned-position.

2. l*Ina-can opener, apair'of relatively movable members, a cutter on one of "said members, can engaging opener driving means Ton the other of said members movable between inoperative fand loperative positions upon relative movement between said members, and a 'spring member yhaving one end immovably secured to 4one of .said members and its free end engaging theothe'r vvof said members and designed to move the driving means toward its inoperative position.

i3. In a can openenfa body member, la cutter `on said body member, can engaging opener driving 'means on said body member including Vtraction means and an operatinghandle, cooperating parts `on said body member and driving means brought 'into cooperative relation upon rotary movement of said handle xfor yeffecting relative movement 'of said cutter and traction means into operative l'engagement*with a can, and a spiral spring xed at one end lto said body member and operatively engaged at its other end with said driving means,

said spring being `under constant tension constantly and designed to move lsaid traction means and cutter relatively to inoperative position and to hold the same at said position when the opener is not 'in use.

4. In a can opener having a body member, a cutter Von said body member, can-engaging actuating means rotatably and rockably journaled relative to said body member including traction means, 'an operating cam, and 'an operating 'haendle for rotating `said traction means and operating cam, a iixed vabutment on said body mem- Aber cooperating with a portion of said operating cam when the yhandle is rotated in lone direction `to move-said cutter 4and ltraction means relatively into operativezrelation with acan, saidfoperating cam having another portion cooperating with said `fixed abutment to lock the actuating means against rotation in the opposite directionwhen 4the actuating means is in inoperative position, y and a spring member having one end secured to l tuating means toward inoperative position.

5. In a can opener, a base plate having an aperture therein, a stub axle having one end fixed in said aperture, a disc cutter journaled on said stub axle, and a spring member having one end secured to said base plate and its opposite and free end biased toward the outer end of said axle and against one face of said disc cutter whereby 'said disc cutter has its axial movement in one direction limited by said base plate and in the opposite direction resiliently resisted by the free end of said spring member.

6. In a can opener, a pair of relatively movable members having substantial flat portions bearing against each other, means constraining them for vmovement in substantially parallel planes, a lug extending upwardly from one of said members,

-said lug being inclined downwardly and length- .wise relative to said member, a disc cutter, means supporting said disc cutter for rotative and axial -movement along an axis normal to the plane of said lug, and a generally 'U -shaped leaf spring for resisting axial movement of said cutter in one direction, one end of said leaf spring being secured to said lug and the other end applying a biasing force to said cutter.

7. In a can opener a body member, can engag- 'end of said spring upon said lug with the said one end in engagement with said cutter.

8. In a can opener, a supporting structure, a cutter on said supporting structure, can engaging opener driving means rotatably and rockably -journaled in said structure and including traction means and means operable upon initial rotation of said driving means in opener advanc- ,ing direction to bring said cutter and said traction means into engagement with the end of a -can on opposite sides of the bead with said traction means engageable with the lower edge of the can bead, said cutter and said traction means engaging the can at least initially at o'set points when measured along the can bead thereby causing said cutter to pierce the can end and causing a force to be applied to the parts tending to tilt said supporting structure during initial rotation of said driving means, and a proiection on said supporting structure positioned to engage the lower edge of the can bead at a point oppositely oiset from said cutter than said traction means, so as to counteract the forces tending to tilt said .supporting structure.

9. In a can opener, a pair of relatively movable Ibody members, a cutter on one of said members,

can engaging opener driving means on the other member including traction means and means operable upon rotation of the driving mea-ns to move said body members relatively, means con- 12 straining said body members for relative movement in a direction to bring said cutter and traction means into engagement with the end of a can on opposite sides of the bead on said end and at least initially at offset points when measured along said bear thereby causing said cutter to pierce the end of said can and causing a force to be applied to the body members tending to v'tilt one during initial rotation of the driving means, and means on the last mentioned body member to engage the end of said can on the same side of the bead as said traction means and oiset from said cutter in a direction opposite to that at which the traction means is oset to counteract the tilting forces on the said one body member.

10. In a `can opener, a body member, a cuter on said body member, opener driving means on said body member including traction means andv means operable upon rotation of the driving means in one direction to move said cutter and traction means relatively into operative engagement with the end of a can at oiset points when measured along the bead on said end thereby causing said body member to tilt in one direction when said cutter and traction means are moved relatively far enough to bring the cutter into piercing engagement with the end of said can, and means on said body member having a can engaging face lying substantially in the plane of the piercing edge of said `cutter and extending toward the same to engage the same edge of said bead as engaged by said traction means but on the side of said cutter opposite that at which the traction means engages the can to counteract tilting forces on the body member.

11. In a can opener, a body member, a cutter on said body member, opener driving means on said body member including traction means and means operable upon rotation of the driving means in one direction to move said cutter and traction means relatively into operative engagement with the end of a can at offset points when measured along the bead on said end thereby causing said body member to tilt in one direction when said cutter and traction means are moved relatively far enough to bring the cutter into piercing engagement with the end of said can and for relatively moving said can and opener after the top has been pierced to sever said top, and can engaging guide means on the body member including a member to engage the can on the same can part engaged by said traction means and at a point oppositely offset from said cutter than said traction means during piercing of the top to counteract the tilting force on said body member, and other guide members to engage the can on opposite sides of said cutter to guide relative movement of the can and opener.

12. In a can opener, the combination comprising a base plate, a cutter secured on said base plate, said cutter being adapted to be positioned on the inner side of the peripheral bead of a can when said opener is in operative position on the can, guide means on said base plate for engaging the can to maintain the cutter in proper cutting relation to said can, a feeding mechanism rotatably journaled in said base plate and mounted to be rockable with respect to the plate between inoperative and operative positions, engageable cooperating means on said feeding mechanism and base plate for preventing rotation of said feeding mechanism otherwise than in a feeding direction when said feeding mechanism is in inoperative position, and a spring member having one end immovably secured to said base plate and its free end engaging said feeding mechanism and designed to move said feeding mechanism to inoperative position and to hold said cooperating means in engagement when said feeding mechanism is in inoperative position.

13. In a can opener for severing the end of a can of the type having a peripheral bead, the combination comprising a base plate having a cam slot therein and an abutment, a disc cutter rotatably secured on said base plate and adapted to engage the top of the can closely adjacent the inner side of the peripheral bead, guide means on said base plate for engaging the can to maintain the opener in proper cutting relation to the can, a feeding mechanism including a feed wheel rotatably and rockably journaled in said cam slot and a cam associated with said feed wheel and rotatingtherewith, said cam having a locking face for engaging said abutment when said feeding mechanism is in inoperative position to prevent rotation of the same except in a feeding direction, and a face opposed to said locking face for engaging said abutment to rock the feeding mechanism in said slot in a direction for moving said feed wheel into engagement with the lower edge of the peripheral bead on the can and said disc cutter against the end of said can to pierce the same upon initial rotation of the feeding mechanism in a feeding direction, and to advance said opener with respect to said can upon con-- tinued rotation of the feeding mechanism in the same direction to cause said disc cutter to sever the top of the can, and a spring member having one end immovably secured to said base and its free end engaging said cam and designed to move said feeding mechanism to inoperative position and said cam into engagement with said abutment.

14. In a can opener for severing the end of a can of the type having a peripheral bead. the

combination comprising a base plate, guide mean's on said base plate for engaging the can to maintain said opener in proper cutting relation to the can, a feeding mechanism rotatably journaled in said base plate and rockable between inoperative and operative position, means on said base plate and feeding mechanism cooperating to prevent rotation of the feeding -mechansm when the latter is in inoperative position except in a feeding direction and to move said `feeding mechanism and opener relative to the can to bring the opener into cutting relation with the can when the feeding mechanism is initially rotated in a feeding direction, and thereafter to advance the opener along the bead of the can to cause the end thereof to be severed upon continued rotation of the feeding mechanism in the same direction, a lug on said base plate, a disc cutter rotatable upon an axis normal to and fixed in said lug, said lug being inclined downwardly and lengthwise of said plate for supporting said disc cutter with its forward edge inclined toward the inner side of the peripheral bead of the can whereby the top of said can is severed closely/adjacent the bead.

MICHAEL J. LA FORTE..

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

